Word Study for H3462 (יָשֵׁן)

yâshên /yaw-shane'/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root · properly, to be slack or languid, i.e. (by implication) sleep (figuratively, to die)

Meaningalso to grow old, stale or inveterate

KJV usageold (store), remain long, (make to) sleep.

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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word yâshên, represented by H3462, is a primitive root that properly means to be slack or languid. By implication, its meaning extends to sleep, to figuratively die, and to grow old, stale, or inveterate. This term appears 19 times across 19 unique verses in the Bible, showing its use in a variety of literal and metaphorical contexts.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H3462 is used to describe both literal sleep and concepts of age and death. It describes the first sleep mentioned in scripture, when God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and "he slept" Genesis 2:21. It is also used for the peaceful rest of the faithful, who can lay down and sleep in safety because of the Lord's protection Psalms 4:8. Figuratively, the term describes death, as in the prayer to be saved from the "sleep of death" Psalms 13:3 and in the prophecy that Babylon's leaders will sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake Jeremiah 51:57. Beyond rest, it can mean "old" or "stale," as seen in the descriptions of "old store" Leviticus 26:10 and "old leprosy" Leviticus 13:11.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the spectrum of rest and wakefulness:

H8142 shênâh (sleep): This is the noun form for sleep and is often used in conjunction with H3462. For example, Jeremiah prophesies a "perpetual sleep" from which the wicked will not awake Jeremiah 51:39.
H5123 nûwm (to slumber): A close synonym for sleep, often used in parallel to emphasize a state of rest or inattentiveness. God, as the keeper of Israel, will neither slumber nor sleep Psalms 121:4.
H6974 qûwts (to awake): As a direct antonym, this word highlights the transition from sleep to consciousness. The psalmist declares, "I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me" Psalms 3:5.
H7901 shâkab (to lie down): This verb often describes the physical act that precedes sleep. It is frequently paired with H3462, as in the declaration, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep" Psalms 4:8.
H8639 tardêmâh (deep sleep): This term signifies a heavy, supernaturally induced sleep. God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and then "he slept" Genesis 2:21.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3462 is revealed in its various applications:

A Symbol of Death: The word provides a common biblical metaphor for death. The description of a "perpetual sleep" serves as a powerful image of final judgment from which there is no waking Jeremiah 51:57.
Divine Watchfulness: A key theological point is the contrast between human frailty and divine constancy. While humans must sleep, the Lord who keeps Israel will "neither slumber nor sleep" Psalms 121:4, signifying His unceasing care and vigilance.
A Gift of Peace: The ability to sleep securely is portrayed as a blessing from God. Under the covenant of peace, God's people will be able to dwell safely and sleep even in the woods Ezekiel 34:25. It is a tangible sign of trust and divine protection Psalms 4:8.
A State of Vulnerability: Sleep can also represent a moment of vulnerability or moral inaction. It was while Samson slept that he was overcome by his enemies Judges 16:19. In Isaiah, the readiness of an avenging army is shown by the fact that none among them sleep Isaiah 5:27.

Summary

In summary, H3462 is far more than a simple word for rest. It encompasses a spectrum of meaning, from the physical act of sleeping to the finality of death and the state of being old or long-established. The word serves as a powerful vehicle for theological expression, contrasting human need with God's sleeplessness, and depicting rest as either a gift of divine peace or a moment of perilous vulnerability. It demonstrates how a basic human experience is used in Scripture to illustrate profound spiritual truths.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and an adjective across 23 occurrences, inflected in 17 grammatical forms.

Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 3×
Plural Masculine Absolute 2×
Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
Niphal Consecutive Perfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
Niphal Participle Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
Niphal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
Qal Conjunction+Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
Qal Consecutive Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
Qal Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
Qal Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×

+ 5 rarer forms

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender: Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal: The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal: Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel: The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Consecutive Imperfect: Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect: Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect: Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute: The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 19 verses across 12 books. Most frequent in Psalms (5 verses).

Genesis

Leviticus

Deuteronomy

Judges

1 Kings

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

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